TyzToyz Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Hey all, Vehichle in question: 1997 Pathfinder 4x4, 3.3L with 190,000km and an automatic. Before I get the codes read (gonna cost me $150 at the stealership), I am hoping to get some pre advise on the diagnosis of this problem (there is NO check engine light on). Engine cranks over fine but I have to let it turn over for between 30 to 45 seconds before it will start to fire and eventually run after a few seconds of roughness (strong fuel smell). After she starts, the engine has very little power from no throttle till 1/4 throttle and then it is OK but not perfect. Overall there is a real lack of power (from before not in general) and gets HORRIBLE gas mileage (240km's to a tank of fuel). So far I have done a basic tune up (plugs, air filter, seafoam through intake) to no avail. I'm thinking it is a bummed sensor and was hoping that mabey someone has experienced similar issues and can provide a starting point before I spend the $150 to get the codes read. Please let me know if more info is required, Thanks for any and all suggestions, Tye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleurys Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 If I remember good, someone else here had something similar... The truck would also be easier to start when it's was cold compared with when it was hot. If you have witnessed the same thing , then his problems was related to a bad coolant temp sensor. This sensor is being used to determined (along with the o2), the mixture of fuel/air. Or else, I would lean on the maf side... but it would greatly help if you could see the status of your sensors with some kind of software.. I use this one : http://www.scantool.net/scanxl-pro.html and it has paid itself many times... might be worth it for you if getting just the codes costs you 150 $ !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Igetstabby Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 If I remember good, someone else here had something similar... The truck would also be easier to start when it's was cold compared with when it was hot. If you have witnessed the same thing , then his problems was related to a bad coolant temp sensor. This sensor is being used to determined (along with the o2), the mixture of fuel/air. Or else, I would lean on the maf side... but it would greatly help if you could see the status of your sensors with some kind of software.. I use this one : http://www.scantool.net/scanxl-pro.html and it has paid itself many times... might be worth it for you if getting just the codes costs you 150 $ !! Or get a $20 obd2 bluetooth interface off ebay and use the app Torque on an android phone. Probably the cheapest scan tool option for those with android... lots of other awesome info with this app too. ( ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pezzy Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Another popular OBDII scanner: Scanguage: http://www.giffordautomotive.com/Scangauge2_Main_Page.htm (Canadian Supplier, where we got mine... Stephanie says order now! LOL) Sorry I cant help with your issue, but I'd buy a some type of scanner before paying someone else $150 to do it once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TyzToyz Posted March 30, 2011 Author Share Posted March 30, 2011 Thanks to all who replied. I finally got my hands on a code reader, but it was not much help to me. There were 2 codes stored and neither one really helped me diagnose the problem. I had a multiple misfire code and a knock sensor code. To me, the knock sensor would not cause the symptoms that ails this thing. Please correct me if I am wrong. The thing that bothers me the most is the not starting issue. Only the first start of the morning does it start hard (I have to crank the engine for 35-45 seconds), after she warms up, it starts like normal. Is there a cold start injector on these engines? After she is running, there is a rattle/knock (which may explain the knock sensor code), and does not like to be responsive (throttle wise)right from idle. It bogs a bit and then accepts throttle somewhat normally after that. I do notice a lack of power (pull) while driving, but can slowly get up to highway speed. I have checked and set the TPS and advanced the timing a tiny bit which seemed to help a little bit but by far not back to normal. I am at a bit of a loss here and do not wish to dump a bunch of money into this thing as it is getting up there in age and is becoming more and more unreliable for my wife to be driving my kids around in. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to go from here? Thanks again for any and all help with this, Tye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgallant Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 Could be a distributor, do the misfire codes change for example cylinder 4 then next time 5 etc. I had a 2000 Xterra and had the same issues ran beautiful till it got hot then bang misfires all over the place. Wait for it to cool completely down back to running fine. Now you are going the other way, but a failing electronic component can do that. No one can really help the dealerships will just take your money and toss parts at it. You need to determine if you have a single cylinder problem or random misfire problem. The knock sensor is a result of the misfires, so you can rule that out. For codes if you get code 0302, that is cylinder 2 0303 would be cylinder 3 etc. If you get the 0300 that is random. Can you post the exact code ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddfildvaynes Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 It's the distributer, I had the same prolem and even changed the fuel pump thinking that was the problem; it was the distributer all along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TyzToyz Posted March 30, 2011 Author Share Posted March 30, 2011 The exact code is P0300, random multiple misfires. I will see if I can find a dizzy to swap in. I hope it's just that easy. Tye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TyzToyz Posted March 31, 2011 Author Share Posted March 31, 2011 No dice on the Dizzy, TPS, or the AFM. The only thing that helps even a little bit is turning the dizzy to advance the timing. What tells the injectors to dump more fuel when starting cold? I really don't know where to go from here with no codes being thrown. Where is the fuel filter on these things? Is there an free on-line service manual kicking around? I cannot stand haynes/chilton manuals. Any other suggestions? Tye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 Coolant Temperature Sensor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TyzToyz Posted April 19, 2011 Author Share Posted April 19, 2011 Well, bad news. After 20+ hrs of diagnostic time at a shop, it was finally found that the timing belt drive gear (on the crank) ate a chunk out of the crankshaft right beside the key-way where the woodruff key goes. Funny thing about this is that the timing belt was replaced 2 years ago and it took this long to rear it's ugly head (that the crank pulley bolt was not torqued properly), so I can't even go back on the mechanic for this. Has anyone ever heard of repairing a damaged crankshaft with this sort of damage? Oh yeah, without removing the engine or crank. Here is a bad cell phone pic of the damaged crank: Edit: Guess I'm not allowed to post pictures here Thanks for looking, Tye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewebster Posted April 19, 2011 Share Posted April 19, 2011 So the basic problem was that the timing was wrong due to the crank sprocket not being held in place by the key? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now